The Way We Used To Do It

Most of the artifacts in the History of Pharmacy Museum were important tools used by Arizona apothecaries in days past. Though once commonplace, the equipment has been replaced by automated gadgets and manufacturing systems. Take a trip back in time to see how pharmacists of another age made their medicines.

Mortar and Pestle

The mortar and pestle has been used for hundreds of years to make drugs for patients. It is still used today in compounding pharmacies to make special strength prescriptions.

Balances

Stephen Hall shows the different types of scales and balances that COP has in the History of Pharmacy Museum.

Pill Silverer

The pill silverer is used for making coated pills or tablets. Silver pills were used because it was an early version of a timed release drug.

Pill Counter

Counting trays were used in the 20th century to count out pills quickly and accurately.